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Bishop of Coventry praises “courageous” support for Iranian Bahá’í community

09 April 2014

The Bishop of Coventry, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, has described
as a 'courageous step', the decision by a prominent Muslim cleric
in Iran to gift to the Bahá'í community an important religious art
work, as a sign of support. The Bahá'í community in Iran has
been the victim of ongoing, persecution by the Government.

Speaking today Bishop Christopher, who is the Church of England's
lead bishop in the Lords on foreign policy, said:
"I'm heartened to learn of the recent decision by Ayatollah
Abdol-Hamid Masoumi- Tehrani to gift to the Baha'is an illuminated
calligraphic work from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of
the Bahá'í Faith. Given the systemic and long standing suffering
experienced by the Baha'i community in Iran, this is an
imaginatively courageous step by a senior Iranian Islamic
scholar."

Bishop Christopher, who is also a member of the All Party
Parliamentary Group on Human rights and International Religious
Freedom, added:
"Ayatollah Tehrani's action reminds us all that despite the
dehumanising nature of many of today's conflicts, religious leaders
have a shared responsibility to encourage freedom of religion and
belief and to foster a deeper respect for human dignity. I very
much hope and pray that this generous gift will assist in the
flourishing of a culture of religious tolerance and peaceful
coexistence in Iran."

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